Free Refills

Imagine that you bought a new car, drove it around town for a few days, and really liked the way it performed for you. But suddenly it started sputtering and not running as well as it had in the beginning. Finally, it just chugged to a stop and wouldn’t go any further.

“What’s the problem here?” you ask. “I just bought this car. I don’t even have a couple of hundred miles on it yet.”

You have your stalled-out new car towed back to the dealer, demanding an explanation. “Hmm,” the mechanic says, slipping the key into the ignition and trying to start it a couple of times. “Uh, sir, do you see this little light on your fuel gauge? It means you’re out of gas. You need to fill your car with gas every now and then.”

“Oh,” you say. “I never thought of that.”

“Yes, sir. You see, you’ve got to keep refilling your car over and over if you want it to keep going.”

The same is true in life. You’re cruising along, enjoying life and the scenery, experiencing peace and success in your family, your marriage, your business, and your ministry. Suddenly, however, problem after problem starts cropping up, and life suddenly doesn’t seem to be working very well.

Maybe you need a refill. Maybe you need to ask the Lord to give you the power of His Holy Spirit to be a better husband—or a better father, a better grandmother, a better witness, a better student, a better employee, or a better whatever He has called you to be.

Sometimes you need refills more often than you expect. You may ask and receive the filling of the Holy Spirit in the morning, but by the time late afternoon comes along, you may find yourself relying on your own strength again and needing His fresh empowerment.

The apostle Paul wrote, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV). God wants us to come to Him again and again, asking Him to fill and empower us afresh. The fact is, we have a never-ending need, and He has an inexhaustible supply.

The Christians featured in the book of Acts certainly understood the importance of being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Peter led thousands of people to Christ at Pentecost after he was filled by the Holy Spirit. Stephen, the first known Christian martyr, preached one of the most powerful sermons ever recorded because he was filled with the Spirit’s power. The apostle Paul vividly describes being disheartened, discouraged, and lonely before God refueled and restored him.

Whenever you start to feel spiritually run-down, ask the Lord to refill you with the power of His Spirit. And then watch what He does.

Reflection question: How do you know when you need a spiritual refill? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

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